Jim_K

My 1997 Cherokee sport with an AX15 and about 90,000 miles is progressively getting harder to shift. I just changed the gear oil for the first time. (As far as I know) It has got a little bit smother since then. It’s only hard going from 1st to 2ed. Any insight as what I may be looking at within the next 10,000 miles? With it only being hard to shift from first to second is this the clutch going? The rest of the gears are normal as they were when I first got the Jeep with 64k on it. Thanks for any input.

s14unimog

elaborate on "hard shifting"

what'd you put back in it?

Jim_K

Going from first to second is harder then it used to be. Its like it grabs between gears. I just put the correct weight gear oil that advanced sells.

andyg

Does it ever grind or feel like it clicks in the shifter? Or just slower moving?

Jim_K

Its more of a pop then a click. For sure slower moving.

s14unimog

I would be sure to use a GL-4 oil. Advance doesn't carry that.

Sounds like the blocking rings might be worn. If it's difficult to enter a gear it's b/c the blocking ring isn't slowing the main shaft sufficiently; the more pressure you put into the shift, the more it forces those braking surfaces to work. It's my vote.

Although they share a shift fork, I doubt its that b/c it would grind rather than take longer to engage. I also doubt its the clutch or it would be the case in every gear.

TheJerm

Every AX15 ive every driven is kinda hard into 2nd

andyg

I used 10-30 engine oil in mine (gl5 is the only gear oil around here and its bad) and it shifts smoothly. It does have a slight notchy feel into 2nd sometimes but I believe that's because the shifter position for 2nd is wrong for me. I plan on bending the shifter arm to better suit myself.

Jim_K

Well seems to me like I'm going to keep driving it till it really goes bad. Just wanted any input in case it was something that could be fixed before it gets worse. Thanks guys!

mocXI

With the jeep not running press in the clutch and shift into all gears, maybe a couple times over.
If hard to shift it into any gears theres a problem in the case, if not then its a clutch problem.

jmm0122

Is it lifted? T-case drop?

Jim_K

3in lift and 1in t-case drop..

Jim_K

Thanks, Ill try this out tonight.

jmm0122

The drop is what is causing you the problems. It puts the trans at a slight angle which is why it is hard to get into gear sometimes. My buddy has his xj lifted 4.5" with a 1" drop and his is the same way. Once we removed the drop and installed a sye the gears slipped in like butter.

brg0012

I have a similar issue on my 98. I would check to see if the slave is leaking its on the left side of the trans. I would also check to see if the master is leaking inside the cab. Pull back the carpet and look by the clutch pedal. Im getting some shift issues with my ax 15 in my 98. I just ordered a new master and slave assembly for 99$ from rock auto.